Hockey: Burrows' star still in the ascendant

By Terry Maddaford

Wellington attacker Phillip Burrows' rise through New Zealand hockey ranks has continued with his inclusion in the national side to play three tests against Britain next month.

Burrows, who is also in the Academy team to play the Malyasian under-21 side in two games this weekend, is one of only two players who have yet to play a full international.

Goalkeeper Paul Woolford, who has been on the substitutes' bench in the past, is again included. He joins Michael Bevin as the two keepers in the squad. Regular goalkeeper and captain Scott Anderson is unavailable through injury.

In his absence, John Radovonich will lead the team. The first test against the British on January 27 in Whangarei will be his 100th for New Zealand.

Four players, Simon Towns, Brett Leaver, Umesh Parag and Greg Russ have already joined the 100 club.

The selectors have named 17 players, with Andrew Buckley, Leaver and Andrew Timlin subject to a fitness test. Two of the trio will be named in the 16-strong squad for the matches on January 27, 29 at North Harbour and 30 in Auckland.

NZ squad (one to be omitted): Simon Towns (vice-capt), Brett Leaver, Ryan Archibald, Greg Russ, Craig Russ, Bevan Hari, Paul Woolford (Auckland), Mitesh Patel, Andrew Buckley, Wayne McIndoe, Umesh Parag, Phillip Burrows (Wellington), Andrew Hastie, John Radovonich (capt), Andrew Timlin, Hymie Gill (Canterbury), Michael Bevin (Otago).